Scott Linden Outdoors

One baby step at a time.

Seasoned puppy raisers probably find much of this old hat, but around here there are discoveries every day (or night). As the saying goes, even the blind hog finds the occasional acorn, and in my constant search for sanity a few acorns have recently been found. Here are two, plus some recommendations.

1. Sleeping through the night is much more likely if your pup eats a few hours prior to crate time, you take water away by about 7 p.m., and you wear the little demon out with a few laps in the evening. Then, as most parents probably learned the hard way, you keep the monster awake however you can, until absolute, positive bed time. So far, so good, but not taking bets yet.
2. Flick has adjusted well to his new “pack” of big dogs and humans. But he still thinks we’re abandoning him when we leave the room. Leaving a big dog as babysitter helps, but not always and not for long. These days, it takes a few minutes (instead of instantaneously) before Flick comes to the realization he is all alone, so there is hope. As all the manuals state, it is a gradual transition from constant company to alone time. If only the space-time continuum would hurry up.

I vowed to raise this puppy “by the book.” Actually, several books. And a set of videos (thanks Mike D.). Many of you might already know I am now a disciple of Ronnie and Rick Smith (and Dad/Uncle Delmar). Their puppy development DVDs are very helpful, and while it is early, Flick already appears to be “joining up,” as they say, yielding to the collar/lead. More on this later.

The books are also helpful. I got into this business in part thanks to Larry Mueller, who for years authored the Gun Dogs column in Outdoor Life magazine. He looked at dogs differently than others, constantly questioning the status quo and wondering how dogs think. In my own small way, I’ve picked up his torch. Larry’s book Speed Train Your Own Bird Dog has many insights you won’t find elsewhere.

The other end of the literary spectrum is anchored by the Monks of New Skete. Their book, The Art of Raising a Puppy is a bit zen-like (in a good way) and provides a much different – and helpful perspective.

I’ll let you know if all this stuff works.